CB Radio Today

[carl7]

Hello folks, in cleaning out the house, I came across a lot of old (1984 era) CB radios and antennas. Back in the day, I remember getting useful information from local truckers on road condition, directions, etc.

Has CB radio changed since? is it worth it to include it when I get on the road?

Carl

 

[rvpopeye]

If you have it already , why not put it in the rig? The price is right !
There are a lot less people using them than in the 80s but still some use for one.

Now I'll defer to the ham guys so they can convince you to invest in their world.

 

[B and C]

I have one in my van for those occasions where it may be beneficial for short range communications if in a caravan or something.  You already have it, so no new money spent, just a little time to connect it.

 

[carl7]

If you have it already , why not put it in the rig? The price is right !
There are a lot less people using them than in the 80s but still some use for one.

Now I'll defer to the ham guys so they can convince you to invest in their world.

Thanks guys, I'll see if the CB gear still works and will mount it in the rig. I do have hamradio gear too, HF, 2m, 220, and a 2m/440 dual bander mobile rigs, (hope they still work too). Been licensed since 1985.

One thing I've found for very local information like what's happening a mile up the road, the ham rigs were pretty useless because the chances of another ham op up ahead is pretty slim. Going through a repeater you get people a great distance from where I am and not knowledgeable about local conditions.

Carl

 

[AngryVanMan]

I have a CB in my pickup, I'll probably move it over to the van when I build it out. Ham 2m/440 for traffic conditions is ok in some larger cities, but for general long haul interstate traffic, CB still seems more active.

I have a couple handheld CB's I hand out if I'm convoying with a group, inexpensive and anyone can operate them without a license. So CB is good for that, better than the FRS-GMRS stuff for a caravan group.

 

[carl7]

I have a CB in my pickup, I'll probably move it over to the van when I build it out. Ham 2m/440 for traffic conditions is ok in some larger cities, but for general long haul interstate traffic, CB still seems more active.

I have a couple handheld CB's I hand out if I'm convoying with a group, inexpensive and anyone can operate them without a license. So CB is good for that, better than the FRS-GMRS stuff for a caravan group.

Yes the CB was a lot of fun, used to spend many hours on it back in the 80's, there were many locals on am and also the oldtimers clubs on ssb. Actually, I generally liked talking on CB better, knew most of the local truckers and many used to just report traffic regularly from all parts of the bay area.

Then I got into ham DXing. Been on a long hiatus ever since about 1992 but renewed the license every ten years.

Sad to say, so many of the older folks have passed away.

Carl

 

[highdesertranger]

I have a CB in my truck, I will install a ham as soon as I pass my test. you can never have to many options. highdesertranger

 

[carl7]

I have a CB in my truck, I will install a ham as soon as I pass my test. you can never have to many options. highdesertranger

That's true highdesertranger, I'd never be without a radio on the road. Ham radio is a great way to pass time too. One person will hear your conversation and will join in, then another, until 5 hours have passed and you've missed your turn off. In fact, the reason I took a long hiatus was because it became so time consuming.

From what I understand, the tests do not require morse code any longer. I guess they are still multiple choice. I took my test in 1985. Back then, they had audio tapes you can buy that went through all the questions and answers you can listen to while driving.

Gordon West had those audio tapes back then, I don't know about today.
http://www.gordonwestradioschool.com/main/page_home_page.html

Carl

 

[speedhighway46]

There is no longer a code requirement for any license class. Also, now there are only three license classes: technician, general, and Amateur Extra Class.

 

[carl7]

There is no longer a code requirement for any license class. Also, now there are only three license classes: technician, general, and Amateur Extra Class.

Thanks speed gray, I've a lot of catching up to do. Glad I started the way I did though, from novice.
I found yet another big box of cables and jumpers of all sorts and big Astron power supplies, and they still work great. So thankfully all my iambic and bugs are there as CW was my main mode.

73, Carl

 

[ArtW]

if you're coming to RTR, bring the CBs with you, others might be interested in working units

 

[Goshawk]

If you want the know what is happening on the road ahead tend to use WAZE. As they update the road conditions. Also google maps tells you traffic conditions.

As far as radio communication. You need to use whatever the other person is using a lot in that area. CB is good for close by in 10 miles or less. Ham radio 2 meter is good to 20 miles (or 100 if you have higher power). Ham radio HF is good world wide if you have the correct frequency, or mode.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wayne49]

The apps get the real time traffic data by tracking smartphones using the app.

 

[urbanhermit70]

I haven't brought my class B or C yet but I brought a mobile CB radio & walkie talkie this year.

 

[arizonatruck]

I have a cb installed in my trailer, and it can be useful. I am also a ham, I have two uhf/vhf radios that go between my truck and trailer. I enjoy both. I will be getting an hf amateur unit in the next year or so.

I plan on having a cb in the truck as well. I will have a total of 5 radios on the rig. A cb, hf and uhf/vhf radios in the trailer and a cb and uhf/vhf in the truck. I do need solar panels to help power all this.

 

[Van Man Dave]

I have a working CB in the van and use it all the time! Got hooked on em as a kid

The vintage gear is usually much better quality than newer units, from what I hear.

 

[velojym]

Spent my youth (misspent?) with a CB in the car, delivering pizza for my Dad. All the delivery guys in town were so equipped, and though we were competitors, we'd always be helping each other out with directions, or even mechanical assistance if someone broke down. The occasional ne'er do well who'd show up to cause trouble seldom lasted long, as we were numerous enough to be able to triangulate without any additional equipment. I'll leave that right there...

Though I'm a licensed ham, I agree that having a CB handy is still a good idea. While not as much in use as a couple decades ago, if you're convoying with other folks who don't have an amateur license, it beats keeping the cellphone on all the time, and easier than setting up a conference call on the fly.